TPR Flashcards
What is Total Physical Response (TPR)?
It is a teaching method that goes outside of mainstream applied linguistics for its theoretical basis. It is a language teaching method built around the coordination of soeech and action; it attempts to teach language through motor activity.
What is the theory of language underlying TPR?
Structuralist or grammar based views of languages. Learners can acquire a detailed cognitive map as well as the grammatical structure of a language without resource to abstractions.
What is the theory of learning underlying TPR?
There are three influential learning hypotheses:
1. There exists a specific innate bio-program for language learning, which defines an optimal path for first and second language development.
2. Brain lateralization defines different learning functions in the right and left hemispheres.
3. Stress intervenes between the act of learning and what is to be learned; the lower the stress, the greater the learning.
What are the objectives of TPR?
The general objectives of TPR are to teach oral proficiency at a beginning level. Comprehension is a means to an end, and the ultimate aim is to teach basic speaking skills. A TPR course aimes to produce learners who are capable of an uninhibited communication that is intelligible to a native speaker.
What kind of syllabus does TPR have?
The use of a sentence-based syllabus with grammatical and lexical criteria are primary in selecting teaching items.
What are the types of learning and teaching activities in TPR?
Imperative drills are the major classroom activity in TPR. They are typically used to elicit physical actions and activity on the part of the learners. Other class activities incluse role plays and slide presentations. Role plays center on everyday situations and slide presentations are used to provide a visual centerfor teacher narration.
What are the learner roles in TPR?
Learners in TPR have the primary role of listener and performer. They listen attentively and respond physically to command given by the teacher. Learners are required to respond both individually and collectively. Learners have little influence over the content of learning, since content is determined by the teacher.
What are the teacher roles in TPR
The teacher plays an active and direct role in TPR. It is the teacher who decides what to teach, who models and presents the new materials, and who selects supporting materials for classroom use. The teacher is encouraged to be well prepared and well organized so that the lesson flows smoothly and predictably.
What is the role of instructional materials in TPR?
There is no basic text in TPR. Material and realia play an increasing role. For absolute beginners, lessons may not require the use of materials, since the teacher’s voice, actions and gestures may be a sufficient basus for classroom activities. Later the teacher may use common classroom objects, such as books, pens, cups, and furniture. As the course develops, the teacher will need to collect supporting materials to support teaching points.
